CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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I have been fishing the Stilly (main) drifting for Steelhead for a while now. This winter I have new gear, and am ready to go. I was thinking it would be awesome for us fellow Stilly fishers to keep each other informed on the conditions, and fishing results. So the purpose of this post is to see who here fishes the Stilly often. Thanks! 
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cupo
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cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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Reged: 12/26/01
Posts: 2334
Loc: speeding on 530
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I fish the North Fork a lot, though with work this year I may spend more time on the Sky. I also have a friend who lives on the river and fishes several times a week so I have good access to reports. I'll post a report...if the fishing's bad  I might do a PM if it's good 
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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FishIdiot
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Lost in Snohomish County
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Reged: 12/11/02
Posts: 13
Loc: Everett, Wa
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I too spend a lot of time on the stilly, both on the lower river in the tide water and up on the forks. I'll PM reports also.
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Sometimes, a little brain damage helps.
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Wolverine
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sockeye
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Reged: 09/14/03
Posts: 87
Loc: Everett, WA
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The lower river is dropping but is very muddy. Both forks are still pumping mud.
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It's wonderful to be good. But it's better if you're lucky and good!
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oldman
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dual red striper
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Reged: 03/23/03
Posts: 458
Loc: Silver Star,Mt Just trout fi...
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Was on the N/Fork this morning and the river is starting to clear up It is clearing up around Hazel but below Deer Creek it is a little dirty. Threw every different flies at them but their mouths are closed, lock jaw.
Jim
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fishmasterdan
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Chromer
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Reged: 12/30/00
Posts: 514
Loc: stanwood
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I fish it quite a bit.
We could do some sort of weekly report via email.
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Take a kid fishing!!!
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Good Deal, well when the winter run starts, we can start a email ring, and keep each other informed. I think that always helps.
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Index Hooker
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to hot to trot
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Reged: 01/24/03
Posts: 4322
Loc: hangin with the locals.
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cichlidboy welcome to the board.
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"Don't underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups."
"Gettin' old ain't fer wimps!!"
In memory of Lonnie aka. Bigdogg2250
Ain't no Sunshine when she's gone
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fishon grahn
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Fishpornaddict
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Reged: 04/12/02
Posts: 1430
Loc: Arlington
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stilly is my home rvr. has been good to me too. make sure your wearing your steelheader hats so i know who im low holing dec 1 is gettin closer so i will be up on the NF after that till then its chums if we clear up a bit. FISHON
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TEAM COPE
TEAM OKUMA
HOOKEM-UP pro-staff
Lil HOOKER Jigs
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solid steel
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steelie
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Reged: 09/06/02
Posts: 178
Loc: Everett
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I fish the stilly a lot too. One of my friends fishes it too. And his dad and brother live on the river. So between all of us I can usually get a good idea of how things are going. Dec. will be here before we know it! Email reports would be cool. SS
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Yea, I like those email ideas. Anyone elese...I'm sure there is? I fish most of the time where the Pilchuck goes into the river (no secret spot) lol But this year since i'm driving I would like to fish up by Arlington < fishon grahn lol Maybe we could meet up sometime, or any of us could. We willl talk before then for sure. I just got a new rod/reel so I'm pumped for this season.
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Bigdog2250
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Bullhead
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Reged: 11/03/00
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Loc: Stanwood,Wa
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I would be up for that. It's funny though,it's not the river that I fish mostly,although I live within spitting distance.
Maybe we can get together and drift or bank sometime.
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Gettin' old ain't fer wimps!!
Hey..Call your mother!
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fishon grahn
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Fishpornaddict
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Reged: 04/12/02
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Loc: Arlington
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Wow i didnt know there was this many locals on this board. we could start a friends of the stilly club and lobby to keep the n f stilly open for winter steelies. the fly guys have been tryin to get that too. i dont mind it the way it is but dont try to take my winter fishin too. all the stilly bums out there need to come into chat once in awhile so i can talk to sombody close to home. (tip) chat is the birth room for all boat whores hope to see ya on the rvr on in chat FISHON
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TEAM COPE
TEAM OKUMA
HOOKEM-UP pro-staff
Lil HOOKER Jigs
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pillar
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egg
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Reged: 10/01/03
Posts: 3
Loc: Arlington, Wa
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Hi guys. Im an arlington native and fish the stilly quite a bit. Lookin forward to Dec.1 I was unaware of the push to keep the NF fly only in the winter as well! I'll post as the season progresses as well! Or get on the email ring 
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If there were no chickens..what would everything taste like?
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Wow! This is a lot more then I thought it would be. There sure are a few people that fish the Stilly. That would be sweet, to all meet and fish a bank. I have never seen anyone drifting the lower stilly, you talking about the forks BigDog?
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OBDoc
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ride whore
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Reged: 11/14/03
Posts: 75
Loc: Arlington, WA
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I just moved to Arlington from Illinois this summer and have been fishing the main fork of the Stilly. I'm looking for anyone to fish with. My kids are too young and the wife is not interested. PM me or email at obdoc@verizon.net
I'm also interested in fishing reports. Thanks, Tim
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North American Hunting Club Life Member
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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I think I am going to try the Arlington area a lot more this winter, so maybe we could hook up later. But for sure we will all get involved in a email ring or what not.
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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I am going fishing tomorrow on the Stilly...We will see what happenes.
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oldman
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dual red striper
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Reged: 03/23/03
Posts: 458
Loc: Silver Star,Mt Just trout fi...
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Well I fish that river a lot also but alas I'm throwing the big bug rod and most of my time is in the N/F. I wasn't aware that they were trying to keep the river fly only even in the winter so don't get mad at me if it comes about. I used to fish the dark side but I had to try something different. So now until the end of my time it will be fly fishing.
Right now the upper river is filled with chums. Was up at Fortson yesterday and the little creek between the Pinic table hole and Fortson is fill with those nasty fish. I would say that they are a little earily. So all this high water that we go brought in the fish.
I ain't usually this long winded but I felt I had to say something.
Jim
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Wolverine
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sockeye
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Reged: 09/14/03
Posts: 87
Loc: Everett, WA
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I fished the main stem off Norman Rd this morning. Nothing bit, nothing was rolling around. I'd agree with oldman 1 that the high water moved the doggies thru in a hurry. Gonna give the upper Skagit a shot tomorrow AM.
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It's wonderful to be good. But it's better if you're lucky and good!
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Yea, I just looked at the realtime flow charts and the river is comin' up again. I haven't seen it for a bit, so I hope it's cleared up just a tad.
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fishon grahn
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Fishpornaddict
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Reged: 04/12/02
Posts: 1430
Loc: Arlington
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as of yesterday in arlington it had 2 ft of vis lots of chum rollin. i did not fish it just swung in to check on way home. i was at fortson on way through also and talked to a fly guy. he said steelies are slow to show again this yr. but chums are a real problem n there cant get a fly through them to get to steelies. upper river looked great tho. will probably be a slow opener up there again this yr. will have to play with old steel,silver and chum til some fresh fish move in if they even come this yr. FISHON
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TEAM COPE
TEAM OKUMA
HOOKEM-UP pro-staff
Lil HOOKER Jigs
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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I see, thanks.
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cupo
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cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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Reged: 12/26/01
Posts: 2334
Loc: speeding on 530
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Main river will probably be barf until July thanks to the south fork and a few creeks on the north fork.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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Baitsoaker
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dual red striper
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Reged: 12/16/02
Posts: 395
Loc: Renton, WA
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The rules to the NF are slightly deceiving. It says that its is fly fishing only for GAMEFISH and mentions nothing about gear for FOODFISH (other than a non-bouyant lure restriction). From this, I take it that it would be legal to fish for sturgeon (classified as foodfish) using bait.
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Here fishy, fishy...
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oldman
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dual red striper
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Reged: 03/23/03
Posts: 458
Loc: Silver Star,Mt Just trout fi...
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The N/F is fly fishing only until the 1st of december that's when it goes to allowing gear and bait and every other lure under the sun. The main Stilly is no bait until dec 1st. But you can use bait below the bridge at Warm Beach. And the S/F is bait and whatever until the 30th of november. So after the 1st of December you can fish it anyway you want.I would add more but my fingers are wearing out.
Jim
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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So would you guys recommend the NF over the main, is it that much better, and clear?
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Wolverine
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sockeye
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Reged: 09/14/03
Posts: 87
Loc: Everett, WA
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Went down to Haller Park at noon to look how bad the river was. Up a couple of feet, really booking, and so muddy you could shovel it. A guy was fishing next to the launch, using a red corky and red hook. Casting 10' out and letting it sit in the back eddy. Watched him land a hen, foul hook a big buck (released), and lose 2 others in an hour. You could see the doggies working their way up the shore line. Too muddy for them to see, but they were just bumping their way up stream. The river dropped about 6" in the hour that I was there. Too bad all the rain coming tonight probably bump it back up.
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It's wonderful to be good. But it's better if you're lucky and good!
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Thats pretty good for the river conditions.
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cupo
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cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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Reged: 12/26/01
Posts: 2334
Loc: speeding on 530
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The north fork is at 15,200cfs and rising. Not cool at all.
The north fork is better fishing than the main. The main is too dirty except during summer. The south fork is puked nearly all year. The north fork gets a lot of dirt from Deer Creek, Montague Creek, and another small one just up from Montague. The last 18 months or so the Boulder River has been coloring up the north fork pretty bad too.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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This almost flood we just had was inches away from creasting again this year. But it's almost back down to where it was before we got the rain. I keep a close eye on the charts.
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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My only problem is I have never fished the NF before (besides Canyon creek) so I have no clue where to go.
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oldman
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dual red striper
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Reged: 03/23/03
Posts: 458
Loc: Silver Star,Mt Just trout fi...
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C.Post road would be a good place to start as even with the water coming down it will still be dirty. Because of the clay slide on the river around Rowan. Then you have that spot a Hazel and then Fortson. There are a few more spots to access the river at but that is what exploring is all about. These places I mentioned are not anybody's secrets and are all well known. Have fun and fill out a report if you get out there.
Jim
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tbuehrens
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fry
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Reged: 10/22/03
Posts: 8
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REMEMBER THE NF STILLY IS FLYFISHING ONLY UNTIL DEC 1
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Yes, we read the books. But it seems nobody cares. Anyways, I will take that in mind, thank you oldman.
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tbuehrens
Offline
fry
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Reged: 10/22/03
Posts: 8
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If nobody cares about not fishing with legal gear than they better not care when I report them for breaking the law if I see them. The same goes for snagging, etc. This summer I would have reported flyfisherman if I had seen any fishing weighted flys because that was against the law. The bottom line is that the laws are there for a reason, and it is not up to us to decide for ourselves. Besides that, salmon on the north fork, are not open to being targeted anyway, and they are colored up by the time they get that high. Thanks.
-Thomas
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Baitsoaker
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dual red striper
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Reged: 12/16/02
Posts: 395
Loc: Renton, WA
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It is flyfishing for gamefish, not foodfish. So bait for foodfish is allowed in the NF Stilly right now. If there are sturgeon (foodfish) in that system, fishing for them with salmon pieces might work and would be legal.
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Here fishy, fishy...
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Calm down tbuehrens!
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Matt_Pouley
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smolt
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Reged: 08/31/01
Posts: 19
Loc: Arlington, WA
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I fish the stillie right near SilvAna from time to time, but havnt been out in a month or so.... just wondering if there were any Chums floating around? anymore? Ive never fished um so i dunno....
~MATT
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Fishing is life so I hope I live a long time!
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cupo
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cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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Reged: 12/26/01
Posts: 2334
Loc: speeding on 530
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Quote:
Baitsoaker said:
It is flyfishing for gamefish, not foodfish. So bait for foodfish is allowed in the NF Stilly right now. If there are sturgeon (foodfish) in that system, fishing for them with salmon pieces might work and would be legal.
No.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Matt you would be a little late, I'm sure you might get into a couple, but they are pretty much out of Silvanna by now.
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Matt_Pouley
Offline
smolt
Profile Status:
Reged: 08/31/01
Posts: 19
Loc: Arlington, WA
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oh well, too cold for me anyway (just for chums)....
~MATT
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Fishing is life so I hope I live a long time!
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cupo
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cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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Reged: 12/26/01
Posts: 2334
Loc: speeding on 530
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I spent a few hours on the north fork tonight. The river's pretty dirty up to the Boulder, a foot or less of visibility. 2-3' vis above there. I was hoping to find an early steelhead but no such luck.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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CichlidBoy
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3 salt
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Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Thats to bad, I ended up working on my car all day today.
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Baitsoaker
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dual red striper
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Reged: 12/16/02
Posts: 395
Loc: Renton, WA
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Hey Cupo,
I'm not trying to start an argument here (nor am I a sturgeon fisher), but fishing for sturgeon with bait on the NF Stilly is legal according to the regs. The regs limit flyfishing to Gamefish only (see the NF Stilly regs on page 46) and sturgeon are defined as Foodfish in the regs (page 14). And so, using bait on the sturgeon would be legal.
Besides, assuming for the sake of argument that sturgeon can be taken on a fly, that practice would be illegal given the requirement for bait-only for sturgeon (page 20 of the regs).
If I am misreading the regs, please let me know as I do not want to pass off erroneous info.
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Here fishy, fishy...
Edited by Baitsoaker (11/24/03 07:30 AM)
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cupo
Offline
cookin' reels and killin' wading boots
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Reged: 12/26/01
Posts: 2334
Loc: speeding on 530
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Nobody would buy the excuse that you were fishing for sturgeon in the north fork. I think it's unlikely that sturgeon can make it up the fish passage at the diversion dam on the main stem. This is the first time I've even heard the idea that there might be sturgeon in the north fork. It could be possible, just unlikely.
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This can't be healthy. All this fishing is really messing with my head.
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CichlidBoy
Offline
3 salt
Profile Status:
Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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I don't think anyone is really safe to assume or whatever that there is or isn't.
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Baitsoaker
Offline
dual red striper
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Reged: 12/16/02
Posts: 395
Loc: Renton, WA
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Yes, it could be possible but unlikely. It could also be highly possible that no one would believe a person is fishing for sturgeon.
The only point that I wanted to make was that it would be legal to fish for sturgeon in the NF according to the rules, assuming the fish are there, that you are using bait, and that your gear is obviously sturgeon gear (i.e., heavy weights, 100'lb test leader, large sturgeon coctail bait).
If a person was legally fishing for sturgeon with this gear, they can just point out the rules to enforcement officers and they would be fine.
All that being said, if I was fishing for sturgeon in the Stilly, I would probably fish the lower river anyways. And on Dec. 1, bait becomes legal on the NF anyways as well.
Cheers.
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Here fishy, fishy...
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oldman
Offline
dual red striper
Profile Status:
Reged: 03/23/03
Posts: 458
Loc: Silver Star,Mt Just trout fi...
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The North Fork is fly fishing only until the 1st of December after that you can even use the kitchen sink. But you can't fish for food fish in the N/F. It is for game fish only.Please read the regs on page 46 for the N/F Stilly. And on page 21 as to what is a game fish and what is a food fish.
GAME FISH NOT FOOD FISH.
It can't be any plainer than that.
But you can fish for other species on the S/F.
Jim
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Baitsoaker
Offline
dual red striper
Profile Status:
Reged: 12/16/02
Posts: 395
Loc: Renton, WA
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Sorry Oldman, I have to disagree with you.
A. See page 20 of the regs: "Fishing for STURGEON is open only during open game fish OR salmon seasons".
Since the gamefish season on the NF Stilly is open Mar. 1 to Nov. 1, it follows from the rule above that sturgeon fishing is open during this time period also.
B. See page 20 of the regs: "For SMELT, COMMON CARP, SHAD AND STURGEON, the Statewide Freshwater Rules apply unless one of these four species is listed under the Special Rules"
None of these 4 species are listed under the Special Rules of the NF Stilly, and so the Freshwater Rules apply for sturgeon therein.
C. And so from Page 21 (the applicable Freshwater Rules for Sturgeon under food fish): no seasonal restrictions on sturgeon except Bonneville dam area
D. Look also at the Special Rules for the mainstem/lower Stilly downstream of the WB-Stanwood HWY. There are no prohibitions listed against fishing for sturgeon (just as there are no prohibitions listed under the NF Stilly rules)--folks have been fishing the lower Stilly for years legally for sturgeon.
E. Look also at the South Fork rules. You've said in your post that "but you can fish for other species on the S/F." As with the NF rules, the SF rules only mention game fish and trout. So how is it under your interpretation that you can only fish for gamefish in the NF, but you can fish for other species in the SF?
How about if we just call it a day, and end this discussion? No one is going to fish the NF Stilly for sturgeon anyways...
Cheers.
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Here fishy, fishy...
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oldman
Offline
dual red striper
Profile Status:
Reged: 03/23/03
Posts: 458
Loc: Silver Star,Mt Just trout fi...
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I agree with you but we should call it a day on this subject. But if you ever run across this problem again I suggest you contact the state game department and just ask them, as we who do just fly fish the N/F know what the rules are.
Jim
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CichlidBoy
Offline
3 salt
Profile Status:
Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Wow, this really went on for a while.
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Baitsoaker
Offline
dual red striper
Profile Status:
Reged: 12/16/02
Posts: 395
Loc: Renton, WA
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Sounds good Oldman. If we ever run into each other on the Stilly (I'll have a fly gear by the way), be sure to say hi. I'll buy you a beer, and we can talk about more interesting topics. cheers
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Here fishy, fishy...
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OBDoc
Offline
ride whore
Profile Status:
Reged: 11/14/03
Posts: 75
Loc: Arlington, WA
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Has anyone fished the mainstem lately? I fish just downstream from the Rte 9 bridge last weekend and landed about 15 dogs. Got some eggs and did some smoking for Christmas presents.
Tim
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North American Hunting Club Life Member
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CichlidBoy
Offline
3 salt
Profile Status:
Reged: 10/28/03
Posts: 30
Loc: Stanwood, Wa
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Nope, I'm in Oregon right now, but when I get back, I'll be fishing it.
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